Sir, - The Cabinet's decision to bring forward proposals for legislation to allow work permits to be issued to asylum-seekers is to be welcomed. Contrary to much of the myth-making propagated in many European states, asylum-seekers often bring with them valuable skills that can be wasted by irrational government fears about creating additional pull factors. My only reservation about the reasoning in your Editorial (January 9th) is that while appeals to economic self-interest can be pragmatic, this should not allow us to forget that international law protects refugees - regardless of whether they are economically productive or not. All those seeking protection in Ireland benefit from human rights guarantees grounded in international law, not solely in ethical appeals to humanitarianism.
One hopes that this subtle shift in thinking heralds the emergence of serious thought and long-term planning about the creation of a fair and effective system of refugee protection. Too many European states have reacted defensively and thus without adequate thought on how to build fairness into their legal arrangements. The result of this short-termism is now revealing itself in practice. Some states have had to go back and start again (the UK at present being a good example). The renewal of social democratic parties in Europe may enable a more open debate at EU level.
There is a clear choice to be made as we leave this sometimes barbaric century behind. Either we adopt a reactionary, defensive and mean-spirited approach or we welcome a valuable opportunity celebrate the difference inherent in our multi-cultural society and construct an inclusive and open system which will be a model for others to follow. - Yours, etc., Dr Colin Harvey,
Centre for International and Comparative Human Rights, Law School, Queen's University, Belfast 7.